While working on a humorous story the other night I received a text:
Lori: “ru walking the c2c tomorrow” (In text speak=”Are you walking the Cove to Clover race tomorrow?”)
Me: “Forgot all about it. What time?” (Notice my perfect punctuation, unlike my friend’s…)
I won’t bore you with the details of the 22 text messages discussing the C2C race. Why we didn’t just call each other is beyond me, because I’m really super slow at texting. I can just imagine Lori looking at her cell phone impatiently and wondering about the ten minutes between each text.
Here I am getting "treated" by Mr. Handsome EMT.
Next order of business—my Cove to Clover race day attire. Something green, comfortable, and zany, because since I certainly won’t be fast, I may as well be fun.
Tom, my husband and our chauffeur dropped us off near the top of Snake Hill. Mr. Big and Mr. Small (sporting their green scarves) yapped and marked everything in sight and checked several ‘pee-mails’ for good measure. Neither of us wanted to fight the crowds (or walk down, then up Snake Hill) so we started walking and talking. Less than 50 feet into our walk (we’re in the enviable position of first place because the race hasn’t actually started), and I notice my hand is bleeding. I’m not kidding. Fortunately the medic truck is right in front of us. Lori watches as Mr. Big and Mr. Small take advantage of the situation and tangle their leashes. Perhaps Lori will fall over the tangled leashes and scrape her knee. She is looking rather envious of all the attention I am receiving from Mr. Handsome—the medic.
Another 50 feet puts us in front of the first drink stop. Naturally, we’re their first customers because the real runners have yet to make it up Snake Hill. At this point my dear friend is becoming rather exasperated with my slow pace, although I assure her I’m just getting into my rhythm. We’ve just reached a perfect walking synchronicity when shouts alert us to the first runner.
And then he’s gone. We barely had time to dash to the side of the road before he breezed past us. I must say his outfit was rather brief but then maybe real runners actually need to dress light in order to run faster. I wouldn’t know but I’m pretty sure my yellow and green lady bug top would hamper my running ability. And need I say—it was so hard to focus on the task at hand—walking, when there were distractions everywhere.
Young folk, old folk, stroller baby folk, big dogs, small dogs, costumed dogs, you name it, they were all there. All 950 of them, running for a charitable cause. Last year it rained costumed cats and dogs and the run was still a huge success.
Burien has come a long way in the 20 years that I’ve lived here. You can call it Beercan or B-Town. I call it home.
EDITOR’S NOTE: We’d like to extend a hearty “cngrts” (Text Speak for “Congratulations”) to Shawn, who will be releasing her first book this spring, called “Mommy Are we French Yet?“
We’ll be posting more on this exciting news, but for now here’s a blurb on it:
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to live in another country for a year with your children, in Mommy, Are We French Yet? you will discover that it is not an insurmountable task. But it’s made doubly rewarding when the day-to-day chores and challenges are approached with humor. Shawn Underwood moved her family, her husband and three kids along with her sister’s family, to the south of France to experience the joys and frustrations of living abroad first hand.
Whether running headlong into the language barrier, where faux pas are a given and the best way to communicate is with a smile or just trying to shop at the local market, keeping a sense of humor is the key to overseas success! As she and her extended family travel in France and throughout Europe and Egypt among other countries, they learned that being a good ambassador for your country is worth its weight in gold. Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions!
Come along with Shawn and her family as they learn to embrace the local culture, even if it means eating pig intestines or trying to cook turkey American style. Whatever happens, the chocolate is sublime in any language!
Twenty-five years of living in Burien gives Humorist Shawn Underwood much fodder for her writings.
All of her stories are true, or at least have a grain of truth with no added embellishments.
Or something like that.
Read more of her humor at her website here.
by I can’t say I have ever been the biggest fan of Valentine ’s Day. The mere thought of cheesy stuffed animals, cheap chocolates or sleazy lingerie makes me gag. You might as well do nothing rather than a last-minute, no-thought, no-heart gift.
Being in a relationship, romantic or otherwise, means compromise and sacrifice not to mention hopefully showing all year round how much your significant other means to you, and not just on the day stores tell you to. This year try something different – put some serious thought into what you’re giving or doing. The best gift is one that really comes from the heart, and not just a box that is shaped like one.
I am gonna let you in on a little secret…women love to feel beautiful, but sometimes we don’t get enough time in our busy schedules to pamper ourselves. Here’s is a hint: make the appointment for a relaxing afternoon of some pampering for your lady. Don’t just buy the gift certificate if you can avoid it. Scheduling the appointment and doing all of the leg work will put her mind at ease and allow the relaxations she deserves. Locally we have some great options from massage therapists like B-Town Blog Advertiser Ceiba Acupuncture & Body Work in Des Moines. For an unforgettable relaxing facial we have Burien’s Skin Perfect, where she will get the ultimate in facial cleansing and rejuvenation not to mention beautiful make up as well. Here she, or he, can get the skin boutique experience from A-Z. They are offering a unique chocolate facial this season for a sweet twist on the traditional experience.
All of us like to go out to a fancy dinner now and then, but Burien has a lot of options that won’t break the bank. Sidestreet Kitchen & Bar offers a delicious variety of cuisine that is priced so that you can enjoy more than one course and still spring for the bottle of wine. BTB Advertiser Bistro Baffi offers an authentic Italian experience in a very romantic atmosphere. For you more casual diners you can check out Elliot Bay Brewery with a mostly organic, upscale pub menu or BTB Advertiser The Tin Room where the designer cocktails speak for themselves.
If you’re looking for that perfect gift she will never forget you will score major points going with something out of the “heart shaped box.” Women want to be able to talk about how amazingly thoughtful your gift was to all of her friends. This does not have to mean the biggest diamond you can find but I would caution against any gift that requires batteries or a power cord unless expressly requested or you might find yourself with some serious couch time.
Think about making a card, the less perfect the better. Try writing your own sayings inside that speaks to the uniqueness of your relationship. If you’re the poetically challenged you can go with a famous love quote on any number of quotation websites. If you are strapped for time after all of the other planning you’ve been doing you can find unique and thoughtful cards at The Card Bar in Olde Burien.
As for the actual gift itself, the more you plan, the more personal it is, the better. You are going to have to really think this one through on your own since no one knows the one you love more than you. Try reminding them of your favorite qualities in them, why you love them and special moments you’ve shared. A gift that creates a memory can never be exchanged.
From Flickr Photog Dougerino comes this great Burien-related pic, which he describes as:
Those golden arches were the place to hang out in ‘74, during the short-lived streaking fad.
Have a Burien-related photo you’d like to share with our BTB Readers?
Last Saturday night (Sept. 6th) we sponsored an outdoor mini concert/music stage on SW 152nd and 10th Ave SW in Olde Burien at B-Town’s annual Artwalk.
We called it B-Town BlogstockAPalooza, and we had a great turnout (most likely due to the fact that both The Mark and The Tin Room featuring “extended outdoor seating”).
The show featured four bands:
Here’s one of many videos we shot, this one an annotated “Pop-Up Video” styled clip featuring the original song “Oceans” by Lost in the Bamboo, whose founding member Ted Walker was instrumental (pun intended) in helping us line up the bands and get the show done:
More videos coming soon, and be sure to check out our new Music Channel!
As if you haven’t seen it enough already, here’s a video (courtesy Burien Parks) of the infamous “Birthday Bus,” only this time moving (albeit slowly) and with actual people on top of it:
Some new photos from Saturday’s big B-Town 15th B-Day Bash, courtesy Burien Parks:
Friday night the infamous “Birthday Bus” was unveiled and lit up at the Discover Burien Dinner/Auction, and the B-Town Blog was there:
http://www.b-townblog.com/wp-content/media/B-TownB-Day2_320x240.flv
If you have any photos or videos of the festivities, please email us and let us know!
We’d love to post more…
BURIEN – The B-Town Boom looks like it’s got a potential Part II coming, as a three-acre area near Five Corners sold for $3.2 million to a private investor known as 162nd Street LLC, with plans to build a commercial and residential development.
Miller Creek Junction LLC sold the land for $3.2 million, or about $1 million per acre.
The site, located at 215 S. 162nd St., was free of improvements at the time of sale.
The buyer intends to build three office buildings and 46 town homes on the property.
Both parties were self-represented in the transaction.
SOURCE:
The B-Town (Burien) Blog hopes to be the online source for all your Burien-related news, events, people, business, history, mysteries and more.
It is managed by your neighbor Burienite Scott Schaefer, who is actively seeking co-editors, writers, photographers, videographers and others who want to participate in building an online B-Town community.
Have any ideas, photos, videos or news tips?
Please don’t hesitate to email me.
Thanks,
Scottso
